Ben Tozer returned to Swindon Town more than a decade after he made his professional debut for the Robins.
He started his senior playing career with Swindon at the age of 17 and returned to the County Ground with Newport County to show the home team what they are missing.
Defender Tozer headed te only goal of the match after 76 minutes to hand County their first League Two win in seven matches.
He headed Matty Dolan’s outswinging corner into the net to earn County three valuable points.
That was Tozer’s first goal in just over a year and moved the Exiles up a place to ninth in the table, two points outside the play-offs.
“I did enjoy it, that was an excellent away performance,” said manager Michael Flynn. “We addressed a few problems on and off the pitch. The boys responded and did exactly what I asked them to do.
“There have been a lot of errors in the last three games when we have conceded, but the boys didn’t make many at all against Swindon.
“I thought they were outstanding every one of them.”
The influential Joss Labadie was booked for a fifth time this season, but it’s not clear whether he will be suspended from next weekend’s FA Cup second round tie against Cambridge United.
Flynn believes he does not face a ban, saying: “No, he’s not suspended. The deadline’s passed. I hope it has. I’ve been told that it’s 19 games.
“We’re a different team with Joss.”
The Football Association website suggests the yellow card amnesty kicks in after 19 games AND November 30. County have played 20 fixtures, which suggests Labadie will be free to play, but November 30 is next Thursday, which leaves the midfield player under the threat of suspension.
Flynn made three changes to the side who lost 2-1 against Barnet and changed formation to 3-5-2.
Labadie replaced Robbie Willmott, while Dan Butler returned for Mark O’Brien.
Shawn McCoulsky took over from Padraig Amond in attack, while Wales under-19 international Momodou Touray, back with County after his three-month loan spell at Merthyr Town, and 16-year-old Jay Foulston were among the substitutes.
Bennett went off injured with Sean Rigg going on in midfield with Tozer dropping into the back three.
“That’s seven enforced substitutions in four games,” said Flynn. “It’s not ideal, but the boys were switched on for 95 minutes today and were excellent, every one of them.
“Swindon put us under pressure at the end, but the boys didn’t make any errors today.
“It was a deserved win. We were the better team by far.
“They hit the bar at the end, but I can’t remember them having another shot.”
County: Day; White, Bennett (Rigg 33), Demetriou; Pipe, Dolan, Tozer, Butler; Labadie (Owen-Evans 89); Nouble, McCoulsky (Amond 83) Subs not used: Bittner, Foulston, Reynolds, Touray
Booked: Labadie, Nouble
Referee: James Linington
Attendance: 6,764
